bCh - 4827 S. Lucile Street Seattle, WA

Benjamin Custom Homes, LLC is close to releasing to the market a recently completed 5 Star BuiltGREEN modern home located in the Columbia City/Seward Park area. The home is roughly 3000sf+/- with three bedrooms plus an additional dwelling unit, 3.5 bathrooms, 2 car tandem parking, multiple decks and a fully fenced yard with paver patio area. The exterior of the home is wrapped with horizontally fastened cedar planks, hardi-board, and metal roof (50yr warranty). Low maintenance landscape with permeate features assists in on-site rain fall retention. The home is equipped with zone temperature controlled in-floor radiant heat, powered by a Navien tank-less water heater. The flooring is sealed over with durable high density fiber, click engineered, bamboo floors (25yr warranty). The interior of the home offers a large open living level with a generous kitchen island separating the dining room and the living room. The kitchen is outfitted with stainless steel Energy Star appliances and flat paneled cabinets capped with chroma slab counter top and Ann Sacks glass composite tile with 30% recycled material. Drawers and cupboards are installed with  gentle close hardware.

The lower level offers a large studio additional dwelling unit with a full bathroom. Access to the 2 car tandem garage equipped with an electric car charging station and aluminum framed doors with frosted panels is located on the lower level. The lower level flooring is polished exposed concrete embedded with pex tubing for the in-floor heat. The upper level features the spacious master bedroom with spa-like master bath clad with Ann Sack tile and equipped with multi-head shower and ceiling filled bathtub. The upper level also offers two large bonus rooms, a shared full bathroom, laundry room and an office nook. Energy and water conserving features include low flow fixtures, tank-less water heater and Lifebreath Heat Recovery Ventilation System (HRV). Spray foam insulation, blown fiberglass insulation, and triple pane windows contribute to the air tight seal and energy efficiency of the home. Located at 4827 S. Lucile St. Seattle, WA with a walkscore of 71 (very walkable) this home is located close to all the shops Columbia City and Seward Park have to offer.

 

The home is SOLD! 

Colman Park High Efficiency Modern Green Home Video Tour

In early 2011 Benjamin Custom Homes completed home sites bCh-1806 and bCh-1808 designed by Julian Weber Architecture and Design. I had the great opportunity of participating in the land acquisition, land use and design process, and the marketing and sales of two modern green homes near Colman Park.

If you have property in Seattle that can can be subdivided and are interested in selling, or if you are interested in buying opportunities, contact me. I have a network of buyer looking for opportunities.

Hitts Hill Modern Community - Five Unit High Efficiency Eco-Friendly Modern Homes in Columbia City

Benjamin Custom Homes, LLC completed the construction of their 5 unit high efficiency eco-friendly modern homes near Seattle's Hitts Hill Park in Columbia City. The 5, unit project is a Built-Green 4 Star, development sited adjacent to Hitts Hill Park, which provides lush green surroundings and privacy. The homes vary in size, floor plan and finish detail. Each home is a stand alone residence, sited on its own parcel with private paver patio area and fenced yard. The site incorporates grass-crete to assist in the retention of rainfall and reduce the amount of run-off being collected by the public storm management system. The five home are located minutes from Columbia City's historic commercial district with access to restaurants, and other local businesses. Benjamin Custom Home, LLC's Hitts Hill site offers three units with roof top decks and off-street parking and two units providing attached garage, one offers large decks for entertaining.

One of the five home is currently sold, and four homes are available for purchase. The exterior of the home is wrapped with corrugated sheet metal, hardi-panel and horizontally fastened cedar planks lined with a rain screen system.

Benjamin Custom Homes, LLC released unit 5235 39th Ave. S. to the market.bch - 5235 offers approximately 1590sf of modern living along with 400sf roof top deck equipped with gas for BBQ and both hot and cold water options. bCh - 5235 offers exposed concrete floors embedded with in-floor heat, one large flex room downstairs with its own full bath and access to the paver patio with fully fenced yard. The lower level also offer a large storage room/bonus room and utility closet under the stairs, housing the Navien tank-less hot water system and the mechanical system for hydronic in-floor radiant heat, with zoned temperature control on all three levels.

The mid-level is lined with strand woven bamboo floors embedded with in-floor hyronic radiant heat providing heating efficiency and comfort as well as contributing to the improved indoor air quality. The mid-level offers an open floor plan layout accompanying the living area, a powder room, eating area and kitchen. The kitchen offers a peninsula design with black flat paneled oak cabinets, utilizing the easy glide anti-slam hardware, chroma-quarts counter tops with under-mount sink, low flow fixtures and Frigidaire Energy Star stainless steel appliances with a gas cook top and Broan over head vent.

The top floor is also lined with strand woven bamboo floors with in-floor radiant heat. This level offers two large bedrooms with a Continental bathroom featuring a large spa shower lined with Ann Sack tile (contains 30% recycled material) with dual shower. The bathroom also offers wall hung vanity with black flat paneled oak cabinet and dual sink. facing the designer looking glass.

The bonus feature of the home is the large roof top deck with great territorial view of Columbia City and a distant view of downtown Seattle. bCh - 5235 offers off-street parking to the rear of the site.

For sales information or a private a tour, contact 206-618-0833.

Seattle Modern Homes - Northwest Modern Home in the Heart of Ballard

Benjamin Custom Homes, LLC and Julian Weber Architecture & Design, LLC has joined forces to produce this pitched metal roof northwest contemporary home. Located near the heart of Ballard's historical commercial district this home offers a walkability score of 94 out 100.

The home is a true urban in-fill project. It is located on a short plat subdivision towards the back of an existing house. The exterior of the home is wrapped in 4" cedar planks and hardi-board lined with rain screen system. The exterior skins give the home a unique look trademark look of Benjamin Custom Homes, LLC. The design incorporated energy-efficient features and water conserving features. The exterior of the home is designed with grasscrete and rain barrels to assist in reducing the storm drain run off. The captured grey water can can be re-used to water plants on dryer days.

Other conserving features include the Navien commercial grade tankless gas-fired hot water on demand system, water conserving dual flush toilets, in floor hydronic radiant heating through out and installation of Anne Sacks tile in the kitchen and bathrooms. The interior offers a thoughtfully designed open floor plan layout.
The ground floor level offers a large bedroom/den with full bathroom and the attached 1 car garage with frosted pane roll up doors. The mid level offers well designed open spaces perfect for entertaining. The kitchen is equipped with a large island capped with chroma slab countertops, black flat paneled cabinets with chrome bar pulls. This level also offers a half baths and a large storage closet. The top floor offers 2 bedrooms with 2 full baths its own south-facing deck with great territorial views. This home was listed at the price of $534,950.00 and sold in 3 days.

For more photographs and information visit http://www.ballardmodernhomes.com/

Seattle Modern Homes - 15th Avenue S. Townhomes

15th Avenue S. Townhomes is a 10 unit townhome project located on the northeast side of Beacon Hill. These handsome homes was redesigned by Seattle's Dwell Development & Design . Six homes perched at the top of the hill with views towards the Cascades and four homes on the west side featuring welcoming courtyard with low maintenance drought tolerant vegetation.
Exterior material include horizontally fastened cedar boards and hardi-board lined with rain shield. Each home offers private green space.



Interior features Ann Sack tiles containing 30% recycled material, gas-fired hot water on demand, high efficiency dual flush Violet's, bamboo hardwood floors.




Kitchens, offer carrrera marble slab/chroma quarts slab counter tops with flat paneled oak cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

The floor plan of each home in simple open and functional. Stout fir stairs and and exposed beams incorporate the elements of nature is the design. Each home is well positioned on the site to take maximum advantage of the natural light while providing privacy.

Seattle Modern Homes - Remington Court - Glazing & Weather Sheild

While the plumbers are on site working to install the plumbing, Hybrid Architects is working diligently to iron out the finishing details for the unit. Robert has decided to go with the Geberit wall hung toilets. The choice to go with the wall hung design will compliment the overall contemporary design of the units while allowing for efficient water use. Most of the plumbing is in. Because of code Unit #4 while be required to be outfitted with a fire sprinkler system. The pex tubing for the in-floor hydronic radiant heating have been installed and tested and some interior framing has also been completed.

Milgard has delivered most of the glazing and for the project. The glazing is one of the main features and is an important detail for the project down to the hand crafted window and door flashing. The windows designed for the project are huge allowing massive amounts of natural light into the spaces. Hybrid Architects refuse to compromise the design by chopping the windows into smaller sections. Milgard will manufacture huge sections of dual paned, aluminum framed glazing designed for energy saving and thermal efficiency. All of the windows for unit #4 are installed.


Once the windows are installed, in conjunction with the activity going on quietly inside the units, the siding installers are also on site preparing the exterior of the building for the finish siding. The buildings will be wrapped with a rain shield to protect the sheathing and the other major components of the structures. The exterior of unit #4 is going to be finished off with wood trim boards fastened horizontally. The trim boards are primed and painted black.

The 3 units located in the front structure will be sided with tongue and grove cedar siding fastened vertically. The contrast of the cedar will give a great natural appearance and provide contrast to the more aggressive design of unit #4. Hardy board will also be used to side parts of the front 3 units provide a nice clean contemporary finish. The image below is weather shield on the backside of unit# 2 and 3.

Seattle Modern Homes - Remington Court - Second Floor Framing

Framers completed the first floor and moved on the second level around June 18th. As shown in the picture, the framing of unit# 4 is progressing rapidly, while the framing on the front 3 units were impeded by the erection of the entry way columns, which provides support for part of the third floor. Seen here as exposed rebar. The concrete workers will build a form to mold the concrete around the rebar. Once this hurdle is overcome the framers can proceed with the framing of the second level. Second floor is the floor where the homeowner or their guest would enter the property. Between the columns is where the entry doors will be. The second floor features a great usable floor plan with living area designed to be towards the front and a galley kitchen towards the back.

The image to the left shows the progression of the construction activity once the columns are completed. The columns are designed to provide support for 1 of the 3 heavy duty floor joists for the 3rd level. The second floor is location of the access to exit/enter the home. Between the two columns are where the doors will be placed. Just the left of the entry/exit, will be floor to ceiling aluminum framed windows. These floor to ceiling windows will allow light to flood into space illuminating the living room, dining room, and the galley kitchen.

Towards the rear of the photo, you can see unit# 4 is progressing rapidly. The framers have installed the exterior sheathing around the skeleton frame. HybridSeattle is working to reconfigure the space within the structure. The initial design for unit# 4 had the main living area on the second level and the bedroom & den on the 3rd level. The ground floor level houses the carport for off-street parking for unit# 1 and unit# 4).

The views from inside unit# 4 are very nice and the quality of light is abundant. After seeing the views from the 3rd floor of unit 4, the team decided to swap floors, putting the living area on the third level and incorporating a roof top deck to take advantage of the view while relocating the bedroom area to the lower level. The image to the above left is from within unit#4 looking south toward N. Beacon Hill. The building in the background currently houses amazom.com headquarters. The image to the above right is on the 3rd floor of unit# 4 looking west toward Downtown Seattle with Columbia Tower in the background. Remington Court is locate 1 mile from Downtown Seattle.

The image to the left was taken from inside unit# 4 looking down at the second level spaces for unit #2 and #3. In the image you can see part of the stairs from the rear entry leading to the second level. Each of the units feature a rear entry/exit to gain access to the parking an other utilities. Upon the entering from the rear the homeowner or guest would be presented with the option to proceed to the lower lever (first floor) or the second level (second floor). This design incorporates the opportunity to provide autonomy if necessary for the lower level.

The second floor is framed and the support beams are in place. Walking the space on the second floor, I get a good feel of the circulation of the room and the functionality of the space. In many town home designs, the challenge for the home owner is the usability of the space. "Where do I put my sofa, recliner, television..." The floor plan design on the second floor of Remington Court offer a truly usable space with multiple options for the furniture configuration. The floor to ceiling windows provide a lush green view of Whale Fin park on the other side of East Remington Court.

Seattle Modern Homes - Remington Court - First Floor Framing

The concrete has cured and framers now take their position in the building process. Prior to constructing and fastening the walls, framers layout the outline of the spaces to identify the partitioning walls and any potential issues with utility supply lines. The space to the left is the unit furthest to the east (tentatively identified as unit #3). The first floor of this unit is designed as a garage. This space as well as the other 2 first floor spaces are equipped with in-floor hydronic heating, 3/4 bath and utility stubs for a small kitchenette or wet bar. At the opposite corner of the room is the location of the shower (between the concrete walls) for the 3/4 bath. The larger opening is the garage access from the street (E. Remington Court). Utility stubs are located on the west wall of the unit. Unit# 3 is the only unit with private attached parking. The open design of this floor plan allows the home owner to make any modification to meet their own specific need. The options are endless. Whether its an entertainment room, a home studio, a home office, an MIL, or in the case of unit#3, a heated garage.


Below is an image of the middle unit (tentatively identified as unit# 2). This image was taken from the SW corner of the unit looking in through what will be floor to ceiling windows. The 3/4 bath is located to the lower right corner. Windows to the rear offer the homeowner(s) the ability to wall off a portion of the space to provide an additional defined space. As mentioned above, the lower level space works well as an entertainment space, home office, or an MIL. Just to the right of the windows are the cut out for the rear door providing access to off-street parking spaces with alley access. Stairs will be constructed to access the the entry/exit and the second floor. Unlike other townhome projects, the lower level for the units at Remington Court are designed as adaptable, functional, and usable spaces filled with light. HybridSeattle designed the space an adaptable flex-space offering the homeowner the opportunity to utilize the space to meet their progressive needs of urban living. It is a hybrid space functioning well for multiple purposes.












Above are photos of the 4th unit located toward the rear (tentatively identified as unit#4) of the project along the alley. The image to the left is of the poured foundation and the image to the right shows the foundation walls. The ground level of unit# 4 will provide the off-street carport parking for unit# 1 and unit #4. To the left of the carport wall is the parking space provided for unit# 2. Also in the image to right you can see the rear access for unit #1.

Unit #4 will offer a roof top deck to take advantage of the view and provide a space for outdoor entertainment or relaxation. Access to unit# 4 is located on the south side of the structure leading in from E. Remington Court while entering through the future green space shown to the left. The door access for unit# 4 can be seen to the rear of the photo.

Seattle Modern Homes - INTRODUCTION TO: Remington Court - Seattle Modern Dwelling

The past year or so I've worked closely with Robert Humble, Architect and principle founder of Robert Humble Architects and HybridSeattle, and David Williams, local investor and principle owner of 11th Avenue Inn Bed & Breakfast, to offer a refreshing sustainable town home design concept to compliment the changing times and the progressive needs of urban dwelling. Robert and David are long time residents of Capitol Hill and throughout the years have become attached to the area and the community. Capitol Hill's Pike and Pine corridor with it's long history of music and art culture is arguably the hippest and most progressive neighborhood in Seattle. It's location and proximity to Downtown Seattle invite a diverse breed of dwellers to flourish and define a diverse and vibrant community.
Remington Court Urban Dwelling is a 4 unit modern town home project located in Seattle's Squire Park neighborhood on an urban infill lot. The property had an old "tear down" single family home on it, and like many of Seattle's parcels, it was up-zoned throughout the years to accommodate higher density close to the city's core. Remington Court Urban Homes are located within walking distance to Seattle University, minutes to Downtown, Capitol Hill, the International District, great shops, cafes, galleries and much more. It offers many options for public transportation.
Remington Court offers 3 unit with with 3 bedrooms 2.5 bath approximately 1500sf of modern living. The 4th unit is a stand alone unit with approximately 825sf of living space. All units have off street parking and 1 unit features a private garage/flex space. The 3 larger units offer a garden roof top decks to absorb the views of the city to we west, Mount Rainier to the south and Seattle University's athletic field to the north. The roof top deck is a green roof , designed with vegetation to assist in the retention of rainfall.

The project broke ground late November of 2007. Construction is in the framing phase. Eco-friendly and urban density features are incorporated into the project. Pin piles are driven about 8-10 feet deep to assist the support of the slab floor ensuring the stability of the foundation. Remington Court is constructed using large amounts of concrete for the foundation, slab and walls, which are up to waist high on the second floor. The concrete foundation walls support wood frames with commercial grade floor to glass ceiling. Each of the 3 larger units feature exposed concrete slab flooring equipped with in-floor hydronic heating. The design takes advantage of the south facing features exposed concret floors, in-floor hydronic heating system, open floor plan, and large window to utilize hydronic heating and cooling for the home.
The first level, with its own access, 3/4 bath, and utility stubs for a small kitchenette or wet bar, make it a great media room, home office, or MIL. 1 unit is designed with a private garage with heated floors. All of the spaces on the first level in each of unit are designed as flexible spaces, which can be used for variety of multiple functions. The design offers great options and flexibility to the homeowner, with the opportunity to personalize the space to their lifestyle needs and the progressive needs of high density sustainable urban living. The lower level space is designed with floor to ceiling windows to allowing light to dance throughout fill the space.
The first floor features exposed concrete floors designed to radiate heat from the warmth of sun as well as cool the homes in the summer evenings.

Construction in progressing rapidly. The first floor is being framed up and the unit separations are defined.